Calgary
people and play above seed. Day one yielded some disappointing
Figjam With an eye on 2011 Canadian Ultimate Championships BY CHRIS ARTIBELLO
Expectations are a funny thing. After going 6-0 at NW Regionals, everyone was emailing asking who FIGJAM was and how we secured the lone Masters seed in Ripon, CA. Thankfully, we were all too busy (and frankly, too busy) to pay attention. Outwardly, we were just happy to qualify. At the beginning of the season, the goal was always WUCC, CUC and UPA; play a lot of quality ultimate together and simply get better. Anything after qualifying in Ripon was simply gravy for long and productive season. Inwardly, I was hoping we could surprise a few
results for FIGJAM. The goal was to play aggressive FJ Ultimate and to hold serve. “First day was over 100ºF with no wind and it killed us. Heck, it was snowing in Calgary! Guys were crumbling pretty hard by the third game. It ended 17-16 on universe after being up 12-7. That game really hurt because we should have went 2-1 that day and held seed,‘ˇ said captain Chris Artibello. They went on to play better on day
two as the guys got more comfortable with the heat and humidity. Day two pool play results, however, were still shy of an easy way in to the quarter finals, but they managed to get there. Goal #1 accomplished. FIGJAM’s quarter final game was a hard fought loss to eventual finalist Boneyard, which meant to retain seed, they would have to dig a little deeper. The final games on day three garnered two critical wins to give FIGJAM an overall 5th place finish; one place above seed. Goal #2 accomplished.
When speaking of FIGJAM’s overall
performance, Chris says he is “Ecstatic. Very proud. Beating Beyondors and DoG were huge games for the future growth and goals of FIGJAM. Our last game was our best by far. Down 7-3, we closed out 12-5. To play above seed in Sarasota is a big deal. It reinforced some of the goals I had for this team. 2nd at CUC. 5th at UPA. We are a good team, and I think this was our coming out party for a lot of people. While the team didn’t medal at UUCC’s,
they did come home with something some might consider more impressive: the spirit trophy for the masters division. When asked what he thoughts of the honor, Artibello said he was “Incredibly surprised. We just wanted to play the FJ way…tough and hardworking but with a great deal of respect for the game and for our opponents. Many congratulations to FIGJAM for capping off your already successful season on a high note in Florida.
Ultimate Canada Magazine —
www.canadianultimate.com
43
Photo: Daniel Berson
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